In a guest room inside the Imperial Family.
Currently, a meeting is underway with the Dragon People.
The topic is a stone tablet inscribed with Ancient Dragon Language.
With the Ascension Ceremony approaching, Hedera made a sudden decision to descend to the Mortal Realm, which resulted in her receiving the task of deciphering this tablet.
Is this a failure?
The 2nd Princess, Hedera, still had her hand on the tablet. There were moments when she felt the energy responding, leading her to believe progress was being made, but recently, it had been unresponsive again.
…Am I unable to concentrate? Me?
Surprisingly, it seemed so.
The cause might be the ominous mana sensed in the Imperial Treasury.
If it had been the usual state of the treasury, she wouldn’t have paid it any mind. However, what disturbed Hedera’s focus was a person.
The Inspector, Ezekiel.
Wasn’t he currently at the treasury? Hedera was likely unable to concentrate on deciphering the Ancient Dragon Language because of him.
Thinking of someone is distracting my concentration?
…It was astonishing.
Even though three Dragon People were directly observing her, it was still a failure. Disappointment flashed across the faces of the Dragon People as the tablet remained completely still.
…It seems interpreting will be difficult.
Hedera’s words prompted a sigh from the three Dragon People.
“The language is exceptional, but the Ancient Dragon Language is the issue.”
…Yes.
From the difficulty to the power involved, the difference between general and Ancient Dragon Languages was immense. Even actual dragons could only wield the Ancient Dragon Language after mastering it.
Didn’t the tablet respond last time?
It did indeed.
“Could it be that your power has weakened?”
Absolutely not. I’m just not in good condition today.
Hedera responded calmly, but she felt frustrated as well.
This is a big problem.
Hedera had never prepared as diligently for anything as she had for the Ascension Ceremony. The thought that this happened so close to the date made her uneasy.
Ancient Dragon Language.
It was essential for her to conquer this completely to pass the ceremony without opposition…
Clang—
Just then, someone set their teacup down with a bang.
Today, there were three Dragon People visiting Hedera. Among them, the one standing out with a white mustache.
The name of the elderly dragon was Gromon.
“Your Highness, progress on the Ancient Dragon Language is slow.”
I’m sorry.
“It’s not about being sorry; it’s time to take action quickly. The only way for you to pass the Ascension Ceremony seems to be through a Soul Trade.”
Hedera narrowed her eyes slightly.
“Thank you for the advice, but I don’t want to rely on Soul Trade just yet. I’ll try on my own.”
Soul Trade.
It’s a deal where one sells their soul to a dragon to gain power, but in return, they become a wraith after death, forced into labor in the Celestial Realm.
Hedera had no intention of trading her soul, even for a moment.
To be tempted by easy power, only to serve and polish dragon scales after death, was something her pride and beliefs would never allow.
Gromon let out a deep sigh.
“Your Highness, haven’t I emphasized this countless times? The more you struggle with human strength, the further you drift from the dragons. Just one trade, and you wouldn’t need to worry about the Ascension Ceremony at all.”
One by one, the Dragon People nearby chimed in.
“Gromon’s Soul Trade is already well-regarded. He has created countless successful candidates, hasn’t he? Opportunities like this are rare. You should seize it.”
“Thank you. But I’ll think about it a little longer.”
“Thinking about it? That’s just a waste of time…”
One of the Dragon People sighed.
It was an outright expression of how foolish they found her.
…
The princess clenched her jaw behind her concealed mask.
The reason she had to endure such reactions was clear.
First, with the Ascension Ceremony so imminent, having any controversy would be disadvantageous for Hedera.
Second, since she had not yet passed the Ascension Ceremony, the Dragon People still held a higher status than her in the Celestial Realm.
The Dragon People were, quite literally, hybrids born between dragons and humans. Until Hedera passed the Ascension Ceremony and became a true dragon, she could not be disrespected.
The problem was that their demands were quite unreasonable.
They must be asking for something outrageous in return for the Soul Trade.
Hedera was not foolish.
While Gromon had indeed produced successful candidates, those who entrusted their souls to him remained as wraiths in the Celestial Realm, suffering to this day.
She had no intention of meeting that kind of ending, nor would she sacrifice ridiculous treasures to witness such a fate!
“There’s still time before the Ascension Ceremony. I’ll dedicate myself day and night to confront my limits.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. After confronting them, it’ll be already too late. And another thing, Gromon isn’t someone you can meet just anytime.”
Hmm.
“I’ve never heard of a case where a human accomplished anything on their own. Even if such a case existed, I wouldn’t believe it until I see it. Just trade already.”
Hedera struggled to maintain her composure.
She was, after all, the 2nd Princess of the Mortal Realm; her previous statement implied a low view of the human race itself, didn’t it? It was behavior that went far beyond manners.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t point out such actions at this moment. If there were any disadvantages during the Ascension Ceremony, it would ultimately harm Hedera.
No matter who it was, the Ascension Ceremony could only happen once.
Only once. There were no retries.
Thus, she had to pass in that one attempt.
“I’ll let you know after my training.”
“No, this will be the last time I make a recommendation. Every meeting, you’ve turned back for the same reason; I believe it’s time to conclude this conversation.”
Gromon stepped forward firmly.
“Your Highness has always sent us away, insisting on relying on yourself, a human.”
“Yes.”
“Then this time, at least show us the potential of humans. If not, I’ll disregard the recommendation we discussed earlier.”
…!
Hedera gripped her thigh tightly.
The recommendation adds bonus points for the Ascension Ceremony. Using it as leverage for a threat— it was clear he had sinister intentions today!
“It doesn’t have to be necessarily you, Your Highness, but you’ll need to demonstrate a potential that we Dragon People can acknowledge. That’s the only way to gain our understanding.”
Just then, as Hedera was about to say something…
“2nd Princess! 2nd Princess!”
A sudden urgent voice rang out.
Hedera quickly opened the reception room door.
“What’s going on?”
“There’s a problem with the Imperial Treasury! A problem with the treasury!”
“The treasury…?”
Hedera trailed off as she spoke.
She had sensed something strange since earlier, and it seemed that something had indeed occurred.
What was troubling was that Ezekiel was there.
“The Elemental Stones inside the treasury— they are the problem! The elementals have suddenly gone into a rampage!”
Hedera was about to calmly issue orders, but another voice cut in more swiftly.
“Elemental Rampage?”
It was Gromon.
He showed no signs of displeasure at the interruption; instead, he was merely intrigued as he stroked his beard.
“Your Highness, it seems we must go at once. If the elementals are rampaging to that extent, it must be a serious matter.”
Hedera nodded as well.
“Yes. Then we’ll discuss this later.”
Since it was a conversation she wanted to avoid, this was actually better. With that thought, she tried to leave the room, but…
“Your Highness.”
Gromon detained her as if he wouldn’t let her go.
“I’m curious about the progress of your Dragon Speech lately. It seems we have a good opportunity here.”
…!
Hedera’s eyebrows twitched in surprise.
To leak her realm in front of the person who reported it— what a rudeness!
Even though Gromon must have felt her discomfort, he continued casually.
“I’d like to see you silencing the elementals with your Dragon Speech. Isn’t that one of the potentials you could show as a human?”
No, Dragon Speech cannot control emotions.
While it could possibly solidify and suppress the elementals like Halt, calming them by winning their hearts was an entirely different story.
The Dragon People gathered here were well aware of that fact. Yet, they continued to make unreasonable demands, fully aware.
Hedera took a moment to cool her anger before responding.
“Let’s move for now.”
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Imperial Treasury.
“Are you really saying we can calm them like this…?”
Tether looked at Ezekiel with wide, shocked eyes.
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